Traditional Frijoles

• 8 cups water
• 1 pound dried pinto beans, rinsed, drained, and sorted
• 4 ounces salt pork
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 large tomato, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 serrano chile (optional)

1. Bring first 8 ingredients, 1/4 tsp. salt, and, if desired, serrano chile to a boil over medium-high heat in a Dutch oven. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, over medium-low heat 3 hours or until beans are tender. Stir in remaining 1 tsp. salt. Remove and discard salt pork and chile before serving.
2. Refritos: Cook 4 cups Traditional Frijoles in 1 Tbsp. hot vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Reduce heat, and mash beans with a potato masher as they cook, adding water if necessary to keep moist. Simmer, stirring often, 10 minutes. Prep: 5 min., Cook: 10 min. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

water, pinto beans, salt pork, onion, tomato, garlic, fresh cilantro, pepper, salt, serrano chile

Taken from www.myrecipes.com/recipe/traditional-frijoles (may not work)